Summary

  • Air India is to deploy the A350 on two Delhi-London services starting September 2024.
  • The Airbus A350 offers upgraded business, economy, and new premium economy cabins.
  • Air India aims for 90% of London services to feature new cabins by September 2024.

Air India is set to deploy its flagship Airbus A350 aircraft on two of its services to London from India’s capital city, Delhi. This service upgrade will come into effect starting September 2024, and it will include not only the airline’s newest widebody aircraft but also upgraded interior cabins.

Route Upgrade

Starting Sunday, September 1st, Air India will commence deploying its newest widebody aircraft type – the Airbus A350-900 on its premium route connecting Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) and London Heathrow Airport (LHR). The carrier currently operates two daily services and a third service on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.

Of the 17 weekly flights, all of which are currently operated by Boeing 777s (300ERs and 200LRs) and Boeing 787-8s, the two daily services will be upgraded to Airbus A350s.

Service

Departure

Arrival

Aircraft Type

AI161

02:45

07:30

Boeing 787. The A350 will be deployed starting in September.

AI111

06:45

11:30

Boeing 777-200LR/-300ER. The A350 will be deployed starting in September.

Air India first Airbus A350.

Photo: Air India

Flight AI165 will remain unchanged. The service will be operated three times a week utilizing the airline’s fleet of Boeing 787-8s.

The airline CEO, Campbell Wilson, stated,

“With our industry-leading cabin products on the A350 including a new Premium Economy experience and a host of new on board enhancements rolling out, we are confident that these daily flights between India and London Heathrow will soon be the preferred choice for travellers.”

Related

Air India To Start Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner Service Between Bengaluru & London Gatwick In August

Air India will join British Airways and Virgin Atlantic to connect Bengaluru with London.

Capacity changes

With the deployment of the A350s, the airline will experience a considerable change in the capacity available and, subsequently, an increase in revenue from premium passengers. The A350 will feature the airline’s upgraded business and economy class cabins and its new premium economy cabin.

When compared to the 787s, the A350 offers 26 additional seats in economy (+10.9%), 10 additional business class seats (+55.5%), and a whole new cabin of 24 premium economy seats.

Air India Boeing 787-8 flying

Photo: Tom Boon | Simple Flying

Considering the A350-900 is smaller than the Boeing 777-300ER, the seating capacity available will decrease. While the first-class product disappears entirely (as is the trend with many airlines worldwide), the airline will still experience better revenue because of the newer business class products, premium economy cabins, and lower operating costs offered by the Airbus A350.

The savings in efficient operations are considerable when comparing the economics of the A350 to the Boeing 777-200LRs.

Not just Delhi

Apart from flights to London from the capital city, the airline will also be upgrading its services to London Heathrow from Mumbai Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport (BOM). The airline currently operates two daily services on this route, utilizing its fleet of Boeing 777-300ERs.

While the airline will continue operating this aircraft type on this route, it will upgrade these two daily services by utilizing the 777-300ERs with the new cabins retrofitted onto them.

Air India Boeing 777-300 flying

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

Because London is a premium destination, the airline aims to have 90% of all Air India services to London feature new and upgraded cabins starting September 2024.

The airline most recently began deploying the A350s on services to Dubai International Airport (DXB), and it will increase its A350 destinations as it takes delivery of more aircraft of the type. The airline has also purchased over 20,000 new economy and premium economy seats for its 787s, 777s, and A350s.

Related

Air India Buys 22,000 Economy & Premium Economy Seats For Its Boeing 787s, 777s & Airbus A350s

Initially, Air India will retrofit 40 Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 aircraft with the new RECARO seats.

Have you flown on Air India’s brand-new A350s? Let us know in the comments below!


  • Air India Tile

    Air India

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    AI/AIC

    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier

    Hub(s):
    Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport

    Year Founded:
    1946

    Alliance:
    Star Alliance

    CEO:
    Campbell Wilson

    Country:
    India

    Region:
    Asia

  • IndiGo SpiceJet Delhi Airport Getty

    Delhi Indira Gandhi International Airport

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    DEL/VIDP

    Country:
    India

    CEO:
    Videh Kumar Jaipuriar

    Passenger Count :
    28,500,545 (2020)

    Runways :
    09/27 – 2,813m (9,229ft) |
    10/28 – 3,810m (12,500ft) |
    11R/29L – 4,430m (14,534ft) |
    11L/29R – 4,400m (14,436ft)

    Terminals:
    Terminal 1 |
    Terminal 2 |
    Terminal 3

  • heathrow_17581988126223

    London Heathrow Airport

    IATA/ICAO Code:
    LHR-EGLL

    Country:
    United Kingdom

    CEO:
    John Holland-Kaye

    Passenger Count :
    19,392,178 (2021)

    Runways :
    09L/27R – 3,902m (12,802ft) |
    09R/27L – 3,660m (12,008ft)

    Terminals:
    Terminal 2 |
    Terminal 3 |
    Terminal 4 |
    Terminal 5

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